1 Poultry Pathology, Veterinary Biological Research Institute, Hyderbad, A.P. India.
Mycotoxins Research Laboratory, Department of Botany, Kakatiya University, Warangal-506 009.
* Corresponding author's present address : Scientist, PCBT, CFTRI, Mysore-570013.
Cyclopiazonic acid was isolated and purified from cultures of Penicillium griseofulvum and intraperitoneally administered to broiler chicks to study clinical and histopathological changes in serum and vital organs. Chicks receiving treatment with 35 mg/kg of CPA showed high mortality and decreased weight gain. Microscopic examination of tissues of birdsthat received higher dose of CPA revealed hepatic necrosis, haemorrhages in sinusoids, typical hypoplasia in spleen, congestion of glomerulus in kidney, gliosis in brain and myocarditis in between cardiac muscle fibres. Serum biochemical studies showed decrease levels of total serum protein, albumin, cholesterol and increase in serum enzymes in CPA treated chicks.
CPA, chicks, weight, serum
